Metering device and dispensing container

ABSTRACT

The invention relates a metering device for fluids from a containment volume. The metering device is a means to dispense metered volumes of fluids such as detergents, medicaments, lotions and the like. The invention further provides a container for fluid material to be dispensed in metered doses.

This invention relates to a metering device and also a container formaterials to be dispensed in metered doses.

It is known to use kink valves to release a dose of material metered in,for example, an aerosol valve, as in a metered dose inhalant dispenser.Such a valve is shown in EP 1 298 065 B1.

It is also known to meter a dose by means of a fixed volume of tubebetween two kink valves.

As used herein “kinking” in respect of a tube means bending the tube tosuch an extent that it collapses on itself, constricting its internalpassage and thus a kink valve provides a valve function by means ofclosing off a tube through bending and opening through relativelystraightening the tube.

Such use of kink valves has been in respect of medicament carried in anevaporative medium and under vapour pressure from the medium. It isdesirable to dispense and meter fluids that are not directly propelledby a propellant.

One object of forms of the present invention is to provide a meteringdevice or a container for materials to be dispensed in metered doses.

According a form of the present invention there is provided meteringdevice for fluids from a containment volume the metering devicecomprising:

-   -   an exit from the containment volume though which the fluid        material is pressurised above ambient pressure,    -   a metering chamber,    -   a first valve for allowing a dose of the fluid material to flow        from the exit into the metering chamber and fill the chamber to        meter the dose,    -   a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure,    -   a second valve allowing the dose of fluid material in the        metering chamber to flow from metering chamber to the dispensing        outlet and    -   manually operable means for co-ordinating action of the valves        whereby when the first is open for filling the metering chamber        the second is closed and vice versa.        The metering device of this form of the invention may be fitted        onto a container which contains fluid that is pressurised above        ambient pressure. Actuating the metering device using the        manually operable means will result in the metered volume to be        dispensed. The metered volume is determined by the volume of the        metering chamber between the two valves.

Alternatively described, the exit from the containment volume is thepoint at which the fluid material is pressurised above ambient pressure.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided acontainer for fluid material to be dispensed in metered doses, thecontainer comprising:

-   -   a containment volume,    -   an exit from the containment volume through which the fluid        material is pressurised above ambient pressure,    -   a metering chamber,    -   a first valve for allowing a dose of the fluid material to flow        from the exit into the metering chamber and fill the chamber to        meter the dose,    -   a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure,    -   a second valve allowing the dose of fluid material in the        metering chamber to flow from metering chamber to the dispensing        outlet and    -   manually operable means for co-ordinating action of the valves        whereby when the first is open for filling the metering chamber        the second is closed and vice versa.

Whilst it is envisaged that in embodiments of the invention thecontainment volume could be arranged above the metering chamber in use,whereby the pressure above ambient is hydrostatic and the fluid flowsfrom the containment volume to the metering chamber and from themetering chamber to the dispensing outlet by gravity; in variousembodiments the fluid is pressurised by gas or mechanical pressure.

In certain embodiments, the containment volume will in effect be theentire volume of the container, such as where the fluid material is heldin the container under pressure exerted by a gas also contained with thefluid. The gas may be in contact with the fluid or separated from it bya piston, diaphragm or the like. Alternatively, in other forms of theinvention, the containment volume may be delimited within the containerby a piston or diaphragm provided on its side opposite from the fluidwith mechanical means acting on it to pressurise the fluid; in forms ofthe invention the mechanical means can be a spring, or other biasingmeans, which will occupy volume within the contents not available to bepart of the containment volume. In another embodiment, a resilientdiaphragm, elastic membrane, bellows or bellows bottle or the like maybe employed to delimit the containment volume within the container. Inan alternative, the containment volume may take the form of a flexiblebag container with compression means such as pressurised gas ormechanical means.

When the containment volume is pressurised, it may be desirable toisolate the pressurised containment volume from the metering deviceduring storage, for example by reducing the pressure, preferably byreducing the pressure to that of ambient pressure. This may be achievedby several means, including controlling the means for pressurising thecontainment volume, or in an alternative having a third valve in linewith the pressurised containment volume, being placed between thecontainment volume and the metering device. This third valve may simplybe an open/close valve. In this embodiment of the invention, operationof the means for isolating the pressure of the containment volume fromthe metering device may be achieved by any suitable means, for example,it may be linked to the closure means of the container. The closuremeans may be a cap, lid, screw-top, cover or any other suitable means.In this aspect, the opening of the closure means may cause the pressureof the containment volume to rise, or it may open the third valve,allowing the containment volume to access the metering device.

Whilst the metering chamber can be of fixed volume, particularly whereit empties by gravity, it may also be expansible from an empty state toa maximum, metering volume. In the latter case, it will normally be aresilient or compliant chamber. A resilient or compliant chamber allowsfor the metered volume of fluid to be ejected through the second valvewhen opened, by pressurising the metered volume. In some embodiments,the elasticity of the resilient or compliant chamber will provide thepressurising means to empty the metering chamber once the second valveis opened. The metering chamber may take the form of bellows, bellowsbottle, sprung bellows, an elastic membrane, resilient diaphragm orflexible container, such as a bag, amongst other suitable compliant orresilient means. As an alternative, an arrangement of a piston andcylinder may be used to create compliance.

In one aspect, the compliant or resilient chamber itself defines thevolume of the metering chamber. In an alternative aspect, the meteringchamber further comprises a fixed element. The fixed element may bearranged to constrain the volume into which the compliant or resilientchamber may expand. In this case, the metered volume is determined bythe volume provided by the fixed element. The fixed element may take theform of a box, cage, frame, or other suitable format. The elasticity ofthe compliant or resilient chamber provides the means to pressurise themetered volume, and eject the fluid once the second valve has opened.

In various embodiments the fluid in the metering chamber is pressurisedby mechanical pressure. The metering chamber may have, for example, apiston or diaphragm device with a spring behind it. It will beappreciated that the spring should exert a lower pressure in theresilient metering chamber than that at the exit from the containmentvolume in order that the fluid flows to fill the metering chamber. Inthis embodiment, as the fluid enters the metering chamber from thecontainment volume, it is at a pressure sufficient to push back thepiston or diaphragm in order to fill the metering chamber with thecorrect volume. When the second valve is opened, the piston or diaphragmmoves back into position and forces the fluid out of the second valve.As an alternative to a movable piston or diaphragm, or in additionthereto, a closed adjacent chamber could be provided, with a connectionfrom behind the piston or diaphragm to the adjacent chamber, whereby airor other gas in the adjacent chamber acts as a spring on the piston orchamber. Where neither piston nor diaphragm is provided, a float valve,such as a seat and buoyant ball, can close airflow from the meteringchamber to the adjacent chamber, thereby providing that the chamberfills to a metered volume only.

In various embodiments the fluid in the metering chamber is pressurisedby gas means. These means could be compressed gas/air or propellant. Forexample, if the metering chamber is a flexible bag container, means tocompress this would include pressurised gas.

In forms of the invention, the two, first and second, valves may beco-ordinated by being ganged together. The first and second valves maythus be simply co-ordinated, for example by being linked together. Thevalves may be part of the same component and thus be linked in theirmovement, or be made or moulded together, with the shape and movementproviding the co-ordination required; only one valve is open at anytime.

In one alternative, the valves may be spring-biased such that the firstvalve is normally open to fill the metering chamber and closed fordispensing when the second valve is opened. Alternatively they can bespring biased for the first to be normally closed with pressure againstthe spring bias, the bias being acted against to fill the chamber andreleased for dispensing. The spring bias need not be provided where theganged valves are moved between their states by different manuallyoperated features, such as opening of a closure means opening the firstvalve and pressing of a release button dispensing the fluid.

Conveniently the valves are kink valves in tubes leading from thecontainment exit to the metering chamber from the metering chamber tothe outlet. In the embodiments described below, the kink valves areopened and closed by pivoting a central portion of tube between thevalves, or at least a connector having the tubes connected to it.However, it can be envisaged that the valves could be opened and closedby sliding the central portion of tube or the connector. Forclarification, a kink valve is formed by a piece of flexible tube thatis moved between an open, un-obstructed state and a closed state inwhich the tube is bent to a state in which its opposite walls collapseagainst each other with the result that the tube is obstructed and fluidcannot flow through it.

In an alternative embodiment discussed below, the two valves are kinkvalves, wherein the two valves are manufactured as a single component. Aseparate component forming the metering chamber may be used to connectthe two valves. In this embodiment, the two valves may be moulded as twostraight tubes that sit adjacent and parallel to each other. Aftermoulding, the valves are kinked with the kinks being formed by foldingone tube down from the top and the second folded up from the bottom.This leaves one fixed (i.e. immobile) tube pointing up to attach to thecontainment volume and the other fixed tube pointing down to thedispensing outlet. The two mobile tubes may be linked with the meteringchamber. The metering chamber may be a separate component, such as asnap on component. In one aspect, the metering chamber can be arrangedto join the two mobile tubes with an offset between them such that theangle of bend in each tube is never the same. In another aspect, the twomobile tubes may be joined without an offset. This would mean that theycould both be bent at 90 degrees (for example) at the same time. Anoffset might be used to ensure that one tube is always bent to a closedposition before the other tube is straightened sufficiently for the boreof the tube to allow passage of fluid along it.

Moving the metering chamber with reference to a fixed component such asthe dispensing outlet will cause a metered volume of liquid to bedispensed. The force to move said chamber will depend upon the tubecharacteristics and is intended to be small. For example, moving thecomponent towards the dispensing outlet causes the metering chamber tofill, moving the chamber away from the dispensing outlet causes ametered volume of liquid to be dispensed. The metering chamber may bemoved using any suitable manually operated means, for example, it can belinked or connected to an actuator on the external surface of themetering device. As used herein, the term fluid refers to a substancethat is capable of flowing, for example a liquid or a gas, or asuspension of solid particles.

To help understanding of the invention, embodiments thereof will now bedescribed by way of example only and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first container according to aform of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a second container according to a form ofthe invention, with a closure cap closed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the second container with the cap open anddispensing valves moved to their position for charging a meteringchamber; and

FIG. 4 is a similar view with the valves moved to the dispensingposition;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a metering device according to anotherform of the invention, which may be used with a separate containmentvolume as shown;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a third container according to one form ofthe invention, showing the operation of the closure cap which releasesthe spring;

FIG. 7 is a representation of one form of the kink valves that may beused according to the invention.

Referring to first to FIG. 1, a dispenser 1 comprises a main container 2of liquid 3 to be dispensed, the liquid being under pressure from a gas4 above it and introduced via a valve 5 in the bottom of the container.A rigid supply tube 6 extends up from the liquid and out of the top ofthe container, which is sealed around it. On top of the container 2 andto one side of the tube 6, a metering chamber 7 is provided. It has apiston 8 in it over a light spring 9. A connection 10 extends out of theside of the chamber and is connected by a resilient, relatively thicktube 11. This carries a tee piece 12 at its upper end.

Two relatively thin elastomeric tubes 14, 15 extend in oppositedirections from the tee piece 12. One is curved back to an angled top 16of the tube 6 and the other is curved in the other direction to theinner end of a spout 17. The length and radius of curvature of the thintubes is such that they are both kinked in the position shown in FIG. 1.

For use, a toggle 18 on top of the tee piece is first pressed on its end19 remote from the spout 17 for, in some examples, five seconds. Thisgives sufficient time for the liquid to be propelled up the tube 6,through the tube 14, which is now un-kinked, and into the meteringchamber 7. Here its pressure acts on the piston and overcomes the spring9. The piston is displaced and the chamber fills. Within a short periodof time, in some examples 5 seconds, it is full. The user then releasesthe toggle and the tee piece is centred by the resilience of theresilient tube 11. The tubes 14, 15 remain kinked.

In this form of the invention, finger pressure now applied to the otherend 20 of the toggle pivots the tee piece in the other direction andcauses the kink in tube 15 to open. The spring 9 now acts via the pistonto drive the liquid out of the spout 17, delivering a metered dose ofthe liquid.

It will be appreciated that only light force by the user is required, inthis form of the invention to operate the toggle and that this force isnot related to the pressure of the liquid, nor indeed its viscosity. Allthe energy for causing the liquid to flow is released from the pressureof the propellant gas in the container.

Referring on FIGS. 2 to 4, the dispenser 101 there shown is basicallythe same as the dispenser 1. However two modifications are introduced:

In this embodiment, the tube 111 connecting the tee piece to themetering chamber 107 is rigid, with the connection 151 into the chamberbeing a pivotal connection, with sufficient sealing to withstand thepressure of the contents of the container. The tube has two fingers152,153, which co-operate with the detents 154,155 on the side of thechamber.

In this embodiment, the dispenser is provided with a pivoted cap 161.This pivoted 162 remote from the spout. A pad 163 inside the cap closesthe end of the spout when the cap is closed as shown in FIG. 2. In thisposition, a detent 164 integral with the cap has sprung passed the nose165 of the toggle 118 and engages under it. An abutment 166 holds thenose down, that is with the kink in the tube 114 held closed. A furtherabutment 167 bears on the other end of the toggle to urge the nose pastthe detent 164. A clip on the rim of the cap engages the rim of thecontainer and holds it closed. The finger 152 and detent 154 also holdthe tube closed.

When the cap is pivoted open, the tee piece is pulled up by the detent164, which clears the toggle nose. The finger 153 and detent 155 holdthe tee piece in its other position, that is, with the tube 114 now openand the tube 115 (not labelled on FIG. 2 but shown on FIG. 3) kinked.The liquid in the container can now flow into the chamber 117. In someforms of the invention some time will elapse between opening of the capand the user dispensing the liquid. This allows time for the chamber tofill. When the toggle is depressed at its nose 165, as shown in FIG. 4by arrow A, the kinking state is reversed and the liquid is dispensedthrough the spout. The finger 152 and detent 154 hold the tee piece inposition until the cap is re-closed. Nevertheless, a second dispensingof fluid with the cap open is possible by recharging the chamber withpressure on the other end of the toggle to change the state of thekinks. The position of the metering chamber relative to the containmentvolume may be varied in forms of the invention. For example, it may beplaced on top of the containment volume or beside it. In other examplesthe metering chamber may be placed on top of the containment volume andsized so that is appears to form a continuous shape, for example, acylinder. In some embodiments the metering chamber may provide areassurance that it is full by means of indicia showing, for example,the temperature of its contents or simply by means of a transparent ortranslucent area so that contents within can be seen.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown another form of theinvention, shown as two related variations. In either form, thecontainment volume is provided within a bellows bottle 201 with an exitfrom the containment volume 202, a first valve 203 provided by a tubewhich can be kinked, connected to a metering chamber 117, which is turnis connected to a second valve 204 provided by a second tube which canbe kinked. The second valve has a dispensing outlet 205 through whichthe fluid is dispensed. There is provided a spring 207, the spring islinked to the container 208, and either to the bellows bottle 201directly (FIG. 5) or to a diaphragm device (206 on FIG. 6). The bellowsbottle is supported on a plinth 209, through which the exit 202 extends.In operation, the spring 207 (and diaphragm 206 if used) arrangementexerts a pressure upon the bellows bottle 201, such that when the firstvalve 203 is open, the fluid within the bellow bottle 201 is forced toflow through the exit from the containment volume 202 into the meteringchamber 117. Once the metering chamber 117 volume has been filled, nofurther flow of fluid from the bellows bottle 201 may occur. Duringfilling of the metering chamber, the second valve 204 is closed. Onlyone valve is open at any time.

The metering chamber 117 is linked to an actuator 210 on the outside ofthe dispenser 101. The metering chamber is linked to the two kink valves203 and 204. In use of either form of the invention, the user manuallyoperates the actuator 210 by sliding it up and down in the verticalaxis. This in turn causes the metering chamber to pivot around the twokink valves on the same axis. This closes the first kink valve 203 andopens the second kink valve 204. As the metering chamber 117 iscompliant, it returns to the original unfilled volume, forcing the fluidwithin it to exit via the dispensing outlet 205. As the actuator 210 isreturned to the original position, the metering chamber pivots againabout the two kink valves and the second kink valve 204 closes and thefirst kink valve 203 opens, allowing the metering chamber to be filledagain. In this aspect, it is envisaged that the metering chamber 117 hasalready been filled before the user wishes to dispense a metered volumeof fluid. However, the operation of the actuator 210 could also workvice versa, causing the metered chamber 117 to be filled by closing thesecond valve 204 and opening the first valve 203, followed by closingthe first valve 203 and opening the second valve 204 to the exit 205.The force required to move the actuator 210 will be small. In one form,moving the actuator 210 towards the dispensing outlet 205 causes themetering chamber 117 to fill, moving the actuator away from thedispensing outlet 205 causes the fluid to be dispensed from the meteringchamber 117. Although not shown on the diagram, it is possible to springbias the mechanism of actuation. In a preferred aspect, the mechanism isbiased towards the dispensing outlet 205 so that a low-force movement isrequired to dispense the metered volume, Releasing the actuator 210allows it to return to its biased position, allowing the meteringchamber 117 to be filled ready for the next dispense.

In FIG. 5, there is provided a metering device 101 which can be attachedas shown to a containment volume as required. In this aspect, thecontainer can be disposable after use, and the metering device 101reusable. The metering device 101 in this aspect comprises a receptacle214 which houses the metering chamber 117 linked to two valves 203 and204 and additionally linked to an actuator 210 on the outside of thereceptacle 214. The receptacle may have an opening 217 through which thefluid is dispensed. The receptacle has internal threads 215. In thisform of the invention, the containment volume is presented in acontainer 208 which has external threads 216 present on the outersurface. In use, the metering device 101 is attached to the container208 by virtue of the internal screw threads 215 which receive and holdthe external screw threads 216 on the container 208. The exit from thecontainment volume 202 is provided with the metering device 101. It isconnected to the containment volume by virtue of the metering device 101being attached to the container 208 via the screw threads 215 and 216.In this form of the invention, the containment volume may be providedwith a seal, which may be punctured as the metering device is screwedonto the container. For example, the exit from the containment volumemay be provided with means to reversibly attach to the containmentvolume, and this exit is held rigidly in the metering device.

In FIG. 6, there is provided a container for fluid material to bedispensed, the container 208 is provided with external screw threads211. A closure cap 212 is provided with internal screw threads 213 whichreceive and hold the external screw threads 211 on the container 208.The closure cap 212 and container 208 are turned relative to each otherwhen the closure cap 212 is attached. This motion can be linked to thespring 207, and attaching the closure cap 212 to the container 208 canresult in the spring 207 being lifted or releasing, reducing or removingthe pressure of the spring and diaphragm 206 on the bellows bottle 201.In the version represented in FIG. 6, this is achieved by the closurecap 212 interacting with the diaphragm 206. When the closure cap 212 isremoved by disengaging the screw threads 211 and 213, the spring 207returns back into position, together with the diaphragm 206, in order toexert pressure on the bellows bottle 201 and the fluid therein. It wouldbe understood that this could also work in the opposite direction ifrequired. It will also be appreciated that attaching the closure cap 212to the container 208 prevents accidental operation of the actuator 210,effectively locking it in a fixed position.

In an alternative embodiment, in order to reduce or remove the pressureon the containment volume during periods of no use, there may beincluded a third valve between the exit from the containment volume andthe metering device.

As shown in FIG. 7 a, the valves for any aspect of the invention can beproduced as a single component 301. A separate component (not shown) canbe used to join the two valves and provide the metering chamber. Thesingle component 301 can be moulded as a one part two kink valvecomponent. The kink valves are effectively moulded as two tubes 302 and303 that are adjacent and parallel. The first tube 302 forms the secondkink valve. The arrow A shows the direction of the flow of fluid throughthe tube 302, to the dispensing outlet 205. At the other end of the tube304, the separate component is linked. The other tube 303 provides thefirst kink valve. Fluid flows in from the exit 306 from the containervolume and through the tube 303 into the metering chamber (not shown)connected at the other end of the tube 305. In order to put a kink inthe valves, the component 301 is modified by folding one tube 302 downfrom the top and the second tube 303 up from the bottom. This leaves onefixed (immobile) tube 303 a pointing up to attach to the containmentvolume (not shown) and the other fixed tube 302 a pointing down to actas the dispensing outlet. The two mobile tubes 302 b and 303 b arelinked to a separate component which provides the metering chamber (notshown). This separate component may simply snap on. The separatecomponent can be arranged to join the two mobile tubes 302 b and 303 bwith an offset between them, such that the angle of bend in each tube isnever the same. An offset would ensure that one tube was always bent toa closed position before the other tube was straightened sufficiently toallow fluid to flow. However, it will be appreciated that the two tubes302 b and 303 b can be joined without any offset, and alternative meanscan be used to kink the valves appropriately.

FIG. 7 b shows a depiction of the tubes; both tubes 302 and 303 areprovided with immobile 302 a and 303 a and mobile sections 302 b and 303b. Arrows A show the flow of fluid through the first tube 302 whichdepicts flow from the metering chamber to the dispenser outlet andarrows B show the flow of fluid through the second tube 303 whichdepicts flow from the containment volume exit to the metering chamber—onthe premise that the kink has been removed sufficiently to allow thefluid to flow.

In other embodiments the present invention provides a metered dose drugdelivery device. This provides a containment volume of the drug, in someforms this comprises a can, and for example a metallic can. An exit fromthe containment volume through which the fluid is pressurised aboveambient pressure is also present. In addition a metering chamber sizedat the required dosage (or fraction thereof) of the drug is provided,for example attached to the containment volume. In the form of theinvention in which the metering chamber is a fraction of the requireddosage it may, for example be half the required dosage and the userprovided with instructions indicating that two usages of the drugdelivery device will be required to achieve the required dose. In othercase the metering chamber may provide a dosage that is the requiredamount of drug, for example, 5 millilitres.

The invention thus extends to:

A metered dose drug delivery device comprising:

a containment volume of the drug;

an exit from the containment volume through which the drug ispressurised above ambient pressure,

a metering chamber sized at the required dosage (or fraction thereof) ofthe drug,

a first valve for allowing a dose of the drug to flow from the exit intothe metering chamber and fill the chamber to meter the dose (or fractionof the dose),

a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure,

a second valve allowing the drug in the metering chamber to flow frommetering chamber to the dispensing outlet and

manually operable means for co-ordinating action of the valves wherebywhen the first valve is open for filling the metering chamber the secondvalve is closed and vice versa.

Similar to other forms of the invention there is also provided a firstvalve for allowing a dose of the drug to flow from the exit into themetering chamber and fill the chamber to meter the dose (or fraction ofthe dose), and a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure. Furtherthere is a second valve allowing the drug in the metering chamber toflow from metering chamber to the dispensing outlet with manuallyoperable means for co-ordinating action of the valves whereby when thefirst valve is open for filling the metering chamber the second valve isclosed and vice versa. The drug may be dispensed into a transfer devicesuch as a teaspoon or directly into the mouth of a user. When the drugdelivered is to be used as a lotion or medicament, it is delivereddirectly on the skin, eyes or mucosal membranes of the user or patient.

In order to provide reassurance to a user that the correct dose has beendispensed there may also be present means to indicate that the meteringchamber has filled, in some cases this may comprise simply a translucentor transparent area.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of theabove described embodiments. For instance, whereas in these embodimentsthe valves have a quiescent state in which both are closed and themetering chamber is empty, being filled on first actuation to open thefirst valve, in an alternative the first valve is open in the quiescentstate, with metering chamber charged ready for dispensing movement ofthe valves. This is a two-stage process, with firstly the closing of thefirst valve to the main container and secondly the opening of the secondvalve to the outlet. This sequential operation can be effected against alight spring force, the spring returning the valves to that quiescentstate after dispensing. Another possibility is that the two valves couldbe closed in the quiescent state, with the metering chamber having beenfilled or charged by opening of the first valve immediately after aprevious dispensing action. In one form of the invention, the secondvalve needs only to be opened for dispensing.

Again, whilst some of the above described embodiments, the meteringchamber is attached to the top of the main container, with its pistonmovable in it; it can also be envisaged that the metering chamber couldbe movable with actuation of the valves, either in translation orrotation, as depicted in other embodiments.

Further, embodiments of the present invention may be used to meter anddispense such things as liquids, for example medicines, shampoos, soaps,creams or other substances. Further, embodiments of the presentinvention, may, with suitably chosen materials and sealing valves,dispense other fluids such as gases and, if sufficiently mixed, solidssuspended in a fluid, particularly liquids, may also be metered anddispensed.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates. Each and every ofthese alternatives and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims where the term “comprising” means“including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art mayrecognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described hereinwhich equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Having described particular embodiments of the present invention, it isto be appreciated that the embodiments referred to are exemplary onlyand that variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Thoseskilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto.

1. A metering device for fluids from a containment volume, the meteringdevice comprising: an exit from the containment volume through which thefluid material is pressurised above ambient pressure, a meteringchamber, a first valve for allowing a dose of the fluid material to flowfrom the exit into the metering chamber and fill the chamber to meterthe dose, a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure, a second valveallowing the fluid material in the metering chamber to flow frommetering chamber to the dispensing outlet and manually operable meansfor co-ordinating action of the valves whereby when the first valve isopen for filling the metering chamber the second valve is closed andvice versa.
 2. A metering device for fluids from a containment volume asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second valves are kink valves.3. A metering device for fluids from a containment volume as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the fluid material is pressurised above ambient pressureby means of a propellant.
 4. A metering device for fluids from acontainment volume as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid material ispressurised above ambient pressure by means of a resilient diaphragm. 5.A metering device for fluids from a containment volume as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the metering chamber is a compliant or resilientchamber.
 6. A metering device for fluids from a containment volume asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the compliant or resilient chamber is adiaphragm, elastic membrane, bellows bottle or flexible container.
 7. Ametering device for fluids from a containment volume as claimed in claim1 wherein the device is a metered drug delivery device and the fluid isa drug.
 8. A metering device for fluids from a containment volume asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the metering chamber volume is the requireddose of the drug, or a fraction thereof.
 9. A container for fluidmaterial to be dispensed in metered doses, the container comprising: acontainment volume, an exit from the containment volume through whichthe fluid material is pressurised above ambient pressure, a meteringchamber, a first valve for allowing a dose of the fluid material to flowfrom the exit into the metering chamber and fill the chamber to meterthe dose, a dispensing outlet open to ambient pressure, a second valveallowing the dose of fluid material in the metering chamber to flow frommetering chamber to the dispensing outlet and manually operable meansfor co-ordinating action of the valves whereby when the first is openfor filling the metering chamber the second is closed and vice versa.10. A container for fluid material to be dispensed in metered doses asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the first and second valves are kink valves.11. A container for fluid material to be dispensed in metered doses asclaimed in claim 9 wherein the fluid material is pressurised aboveambient pressure by means of a propellant.
 12. A container for fluidmaterial to be dispensed in metered doses as claimed in claim 9 whereinthe fluid material is pressurised above ambient pressure by means of aresilient diaphragm.
 13. A metering device for fluids from a containmentvolume as claimed in claim 9 wherein the metering chamber is a compliantor resilient chamber.
 14. A metering device for fluids from acontainment volume as claimed in claim 13 wherein the compliant orresilient chamber is a diaphragm, elastic membrane, bellows bottle orflexible container.